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Has New Zealand previously declined to support the appointment or reappointment of a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so, on what occasions and for what stated reasons?

Answered Question 33623 (2026)
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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Has New Zealand previously declined to support the appointment or reappointment of a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so, on what occasions and for what stated reasons?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

There has never been a previous case of a UNSG seeking to re-appoint a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for a second, four-year term. This decision to re-appoint was therefore unprecidented.